Worldbuilding

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General

Course Long Title

Worldbuilding

Subject Code

CMWP

Course Number

648

Academic Level

GR - Graduate

Description

In this course, we will look closely at novels, anime, graphic novels, television series, video games, and TTRPGs that engage in worldbuilding, a term first used to describe science fiction and fantasy writers' invention of languages, geographies, cultures, histories, and mythologies, but which is now used in many other disciplines and rhetorics. We will experiment with our own worldbuilding, and collaborate with our classmates to create more extensive worlds which will serve as the setting for our creative writing.

The course will consist of discussions, short lectures, screenings, TTRPG sessions, and collaborative group work. We will closely read and consider diverse texts and distinguish between the practices of storytelling and worldbuilding. By reading and writing about these texts--and by engaging in our own creative worldbuilding projects--we will improve our critical and creative practices, our writing, and our capacity to enjoy fantastic, imaginative, daring, and innovative stories.

Registration Restrictions

RGCMWP - Creative Writing Program Only